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CEGL001703 Hesperostipa comata - Achnatherum hymenoides Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Needle-and-Thread - Indian Ricegrass Grassland
Colloquial Name: Needle-and-Thread - Indian Ricegrass Mixedgrass Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This grassland association has been described from western Colorado, northeastern Utah and south-central Wyoming. Stands develop on benches, plateaus and ridges ranging in elevation from 1550 to 2750 m (5085-9015 feet). The stands reported from northwestern Colorado resulted from burning sagebrush shrublands on sandy soils. Slopes are gentle to moderately steep and may be oriented to any aspect. Soils tend to be well-drained, deep and sandy, although they may be derived from a variety of sources. The unvegetated ground surface is mostly covered by litter and bare ground. This grassland occurs in small to medium-sized patches, often in sagebrush shrublands that have burned. Total vegetation cover often does not exceed 40% and may be as low as 20%. Hesperostipa comata and Achnatherum hymenoides codominate the vegetation, and Pascopyrum smithii and Elymus elymoides are common secondary species. Forbs have moderate diversity but are inconsistent among sites; common species include Phlox hoodii, Eriogonum flavum, and Sphaeralcea coccinea. Scattered shrubs are often present, including Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Ericameria nauseosa.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This grassland needs to be rechecked against the Oryzopsis hymenoides - Stipa comata montane grassland in Baker (1984a), and a thorough comparison is needed between the information on this association and the descriptions of other grassland types in the region. Sparse stands or those with significant Bouteloua gracilis may be difficult to separate from ~Artemisia frigida - (Bouteloua gracilis, Achnatherum hymenoides, Poa secunda) - Lichens Rocky Mesa Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL002344)$$. Codominance by Achnatherum hymenoides distinguishes this association from ~Hesperostipa comata Great Basin Grassland (CEGL001705)$$ that is widespread in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This grassland occurs in small to medium-sized patches, often in sagebrush shrublands that have burned. Total vegetation cover often does not exceed 40% and may be as low as 20%. Hesperostipa comata and Achnatherum hymenoides codominate the vegetation, and Pascopyrum smithii and Elymus elymoides are common secondary species. Forbs have moderate diversity but are inconsistent among sites; common species include Phlox hoodii, Eriogonum flavum, and Sphaeralcea coccinea. Scattered shrubs are often present, including Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Ericameria nauseosa. Other species sometimes present with low cover include Cerastium arvense, Carex spp., Symphyotrichum laeve (= Aster laevis), Achillea millefolium, Equisetum laevigatum, Iva axillaris, Taraxacum officinale, Poa palustris, and Penstemon confertus.
Dynamics: The stands recorded in northwestern Colorado resulted from burning sagebrush shrublands on sandy soils.
Environmental Description: This grassland association has been described from western Colorado, northeastern Utah and the Great Divide Basin in south-central Wyoming. Stands develop on benches, plateaus and ridges ranging in elevation from 1550 to 2750 m (5085-9015 feet). Slopes are gentle to moderately steep and may be oriented to any aspect. Soils tend to be well-drained, deep and sandy, although they may be derived from a variety of sources. The unvegetated ground surface is mostly covered by litter and bare ground.
Geographic Range: This type has been described from western Colorado, northeastern Utah and the Great Divide Basin of south-central Wyoming. Other basins in south-central and southwestern Wyoming are similar in climate and geology, and this association may well extend over a wide area of the two states.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, ID, NM, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685209
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S11 | 3.B |
| Formation | 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F033 | 3.B.1 |
| Division | 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D040 | 3.B.1.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 3.B.1.Ne.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c James'' Galleta - Indian Ricegrass - Needle-and-Thread Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G311 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A1270 Needle-and-Thread Grassland Alliance | A1270 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL001703 Needle-and-Thread - Indian Ricegrass Grassland | CEGL001703 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Oryzopsis hymenoides - Stipa comata montane grassland (Baker 1984a)
- Baker, W. L. 1984a. A preliminary classification of the natural vegetation of Colorado. Great Basin Naturalist 44(4):647-676.
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Salas, D. E., D. Wegner, and C. Bolen. 2010a. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Navajo National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2010/298. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 160 pp.
- Salas, D. E., J. Stevens, K. Schulz, M. Artmann, B. Friesen, S. Blauer, E. W. Schweiger, and A. Valdez. 2010b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report NPS/ROMN/NRR--2010/179. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Salas, D., L. Floyd-Hanna, and D. Hanna. 2011. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2011/452. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 142 pp.
- Stevens, J. E., D. S. Jones, and K. J. Benner. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR--2015/1070. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 350 pp.
- Sweetwater Uranium Project. 1978. Application No. 481, on file at Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division, Cheyenne.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 pp.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.